A buttery digestive base, a wonderfully rich yogurt cheesecake filling and a topping of zingy, mouthwatering lemony freshness - you're going to love these lemon yogurt cheesecake bars!
Cheesecake is a big favourite of mine, and the addition of a thick set yogurt adds a touch of tang and dreamy creaminess. It's thick, creamy, delicious and gloriously silky smooth.
These lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars would make the perfect dessert for a summer picnic.
Here's the full recipe, complete with step-by-step photos. And if you love zingy lemon flavour, be sure to check out my incredible lemon drizzle cake next!
Ingredients
For the base
- 250 g (18 sheets) digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 70 g (6 tbsp) thick set yogurt
- 800 g (1.7 lb) full fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g (¾ cup) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
For the lemon curd (or a store bought jar)
- 4 unwaxed lemons (or 2 large) rind and juice
- 200 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter
- 3 medium free range eggs
- 1 medium free range egg yolks
Instructions
To make the base
Smash the digestive biscuits to a fine crumb and combine with the melted butter. Tip them into your square, 25cm (10 inch) square loose-bottomed straight-sided tin.
Press down firmly to create an even base, then place in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling
In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, yogurt and vanilla.
Whisk until thick.
Add the sugar and whisk again.
Tip the filling into the tin.
Level off and return the tin to the fridge.
To make the lemon curd
(If you’re using a jar of curd, skip to 'To bring together')
Place the lemon juice, lemon rind, butter and sugar into a bowl.
Heat gently over a pan of simmering water until the butter has melted.
Add the room temperature eggs and whisk until fully combined.
Continue to heat over the pan, stirring occasionally until it has thickened enough to leave a trail if you run your finger over the back of the spoon.
Leave to cool completely. It will thicken further.
To bring together
Spoon the curd into the tin.
Level off and return to the fridge to firm up overnight.
Cut into bars to serve.
Is cheesecake one of your favourite desserts? Which flavours are your favourite?
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Lemon Curd Yogurt Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the base
- 250 g (18 sheets) digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter melted
For the cheesecake filling
- 70 g (6 tbsp) thick set yogurt
- 800 g (1.7 lb) full fat cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g (¾ cup) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
For the lemon curd (or a store bought jar)
- 4 unwaxed lemons (or 2 large) rind and juice
- 200 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 100 g (7 tbsp) slightly salted butter
- 3 medium free range eggs
- 1 medium free range egg yolks
Instructions
To make the base
- Smash the digestive biscuits to a fine crumb.
- Tip them into your square, loose-bottomed, 25cm/10 inch straight-sided tin.
- Add the melted butter and mix until combined.
- Press down firmly to create an even base, then place in the fridge to chill.
To make the filling
- In a bowl, whisk the cream cheese, yogurt and vanilla until thick.
- Add the sugar and whisk again.
- Tip the filling into the tin. Level off and return the tin to the fridge.
To make the lemon curd (If you’re using a jar of curd, skip to 'To bring together')
- Place the lemon juice, lemon rind, butter and sugar into a bowl and heat gently over a pan of simmering water until the butter has melted.
- Add the room temperature eggs and whisk until fully combined.
- Continue to heat over the pan, stirring occasionally until it has thickened enough to leave a trail if you run your finger over the back of the spoon.
- Leave to cool completely. It will thicken further.
To bring together
- Spoon the curd into the tin, level off and return to the fridge to firm up overnight.
- Cut into bars to serve.
Video
Nutrition
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More great cheesecake recipes to try
If you loved this lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars recipe, why not take a look at my other cheesecake recipes for inspiration?
Here are some of my favourites.
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AnnMarie John says
I love cheesecake and it would be nice to try this recipe especially since it's made with yogurt and lemon. I'm sure the flavor is amazing and I like the serving size too.
Emily Leary says
We all love cheesecake in our house and this recipe went down a treat! It's full of delicious flavours, I hope that you decide to give these lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars a try!
Kristy Bullard says
These look delicious and so easy to make! I love lemon-y desserts that are sweet and tart. I have to try this recipe!
Emily Leary says
Thank you. Yes, do give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!
Jennifer Prince says
This looks delicious and so easy to make. I think the cookie crust is a yummy touch! :)
Emily Leary says
Thank you! The digestive buttery biscuits make a perfect base for the delicious blend of flavours!
Rose says
I love lemon desserts but, have actually never baked anything lemon. Never used real lemons only lemon juice and certainly never lemon peels. I would love to try and make this.
Emily Leary says
Any desserts with lemons are always popular in our house and these cheesecake bars are so yummy. Let me know if you give this recipe a go!
Mudpie Fridays says
I will always pick a lemon dessert when I get a chance. This sounds delicious and something that I could easily recreate. We use to make lemon curd when we were kids and Ive probably not made it now for a good few years. Time to give it another go I think x
Emily Leary says
Thank you! It's surprising how easy it is to make delicious lemon curd and well worth the little effort that it takes. I hope that you love this dessert as much as we do in our house!
Cal at Family Makes says
These look and sound so delicious! I've never made a cheesecake before as I always assumed it would be too difficult, but this makes it look like I might be able to manage it, so I'll have to give it a try!
Emily Leary says
Thanks! These cheesecake bars are not at all difficult to make and taste so amazingly good! I'm sure that you could manage to make them - let me know how you get on!
Jen says
Those pictures literally made my mouth water! I love anything lemon-y so will definitely be attempting this!
Emily Leary says
That's great to hear! Let me know how you get on!
Rachel says
Oooh geez this cheesecake looks soooo good! Really refreshing too! I might give it a go - though it best look as good as yours!
Emily Leary says
Thank you :) These cheesecake bars are so delicious. They're easy to make and I'm sure that yours will look equally yummy! Enjoy!
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Yep! Send some over straight away. Lemon cheese cake with yummy home-made curd is my sort of dessert..... x
Emily Leary says
I wish I could say that they're on their way :) These cheesecake bars are so good, I hope that you let me know if you give them a go!
Preet says
We love lemons, cheesecakes, and yogurt in our house and this recipe would be a perfect combination of all three of them. Your pictures are so amazing, making me craving for these cheesecakes already.
Emily Leary says
Thank you - I'm pleased that you like the photos and I hope that you all enjoy these lemon curd yogurt cheesecake bars as much as we do!